In the Budget speech last year, the Finance Minister mentioned that the government would privatise a few PSU banks in due course. There are reports on statements originating from the Ministry that the government would introduce a Bill during the coming monsoon session for enabling it to privatise PSU banks in principle, create provision for outright sale and relax the cap on foreign equity holdings in them. DIPAM is also conducting road shows in the USA to sell IDBI Bank. In this connection, we wish to caution the government about the legal and other far-reaching implications of privatising any PSU bank.
Privatisation: An Affront to the Indian Constitution
Public Sector Enterprises were to shoulder a vital role in economic development of independent India in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the Constitution, especially consistent with the State’s mandate stipulated in the Directive Principles.